If some truths are revealed for the confirming of our stability, others are intended to create within us a holy jealousy. In- stead therefore of attempting to invalidate the declaration before us, let us flee from those defilements which alone can make it formidable. Let us maintain that purity of heart which God requires, and study to " be holy as God is holy." Especially must we guard against abusing our privilege by enthusiastic conceits on the one hand, or presumptuous con- fidence on the other. The Spirit's operations do not super- sede our efforts, but rather encourage them, and work by them"^ : yet are they not to be discerned, except, like the wind, by their effects®. Let your life, then, testify that God is with you of a truth. " And I pray God, your whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be sanctified wholly, and preserved blame- less unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ *^."]
^ Phil. ii. 12, 13. « John iii. 8. ^ 1 Thess. v. 23.
1 Cor. iii. 18. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to he wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may he wise,
CONCERNING the nature of true wisdom, God and the world are at issue ; the wisdom of man being foolishness with God, and the wisdom of God being foohshness with man^ To what now must this be imputed ? Is there any thing in the revelation which God has given us, that is contrary to right reason ? or is it that man's reason is darkened, and that his intellectual powers, no less than his bodily appetites, are depraved by sin ? We apprehend that an impar- tial judge will not hesitate long in determining this question. But here another question arises ; How shall man in his present fallen state be brought to entertain the same judgment of things as God himself does ? Must he get some new faculty, whereby he shall have an additional mode of perception ? or is there any way whereby his present faculties, weak- ened as they are, may be made to answer all the
» Compare 1 Cor. i. 18, 23. with iii. 19.